PCBs and mercury have been long recognized and previously managed as toxic chemicals impacting the Great Lakes. Most of these newly designated chemicals of concern are found in a range of consumer products but are now being detected widely in the Great Lakes ecosystem.

The Canadian Environmental Law Association urges the governments responsible for protecting our Lakes to quickly take the necessary regulatory steps to protect the Great Lakes Basin from these toxic substances by committing to a preventative approach.

"The announcement by both governments is urgently needed," states Fe de Leon, a researcher at the Canadian Environmental Law Association. "A binational commitment to address these chemicals is necessary if we are to ensure the protection of our lakes for future generations."

The Canadian Environmental Law Association recommends that to ensure rapid progress on getting these toxic chemicals out of the Great Lakes, the Parties should now set up a multi-stakeholder Strategies Task Team (STT) with a multi-stakeholder sub-committee for each chemical or class of Chemicals of Mutual Concern to develop action plans with early deadlines.